Welcome to 8-bit. Search the forum for advice on tweaking the firmware to increase the receive buffer size.
Hey 
Sry for the late response - I was pretty busy today.
Yeah it looks like a Creality Melzi board - which is great because we can just use the Ender 3 Marlin example configuration.
I'll try to write you a little guide tomorrow
That's very kind, thank you.
I've now acquired a Raspberry Pi 3, and OctoPrint is much faster. Guess the old Pi 1 isn't really up to much any more.
1 Like
Yeah a pi 3 is a much better choice
Quick question - do you own an arduino?
I don't know if you board got a bootloader so we should flash one.
It would also work with a raspberry if you don't have an arduino.
What we need for the bootloader part are 6 dupont wires.
The board got male pins but depending of which device you use on the other end we got either male or female connectors.
Hi,
I've got a box full of Wemos D1s, and an Arduino Teensy, but if they're no good I don't mind buying one. I like collecting these things! If you can suggest something suitable that isn't massively expensive I'll just order one.
I have the Arduino SDK installed already, and I'm a programmer so don't hold back on that side of things.
I can make up any wires, male or female connectors no problem.
Many thanks for the help!
Great that makes things easier 
For the arduino part - lots of devices would work. I would go with an UNO R3 clone.
I'm not sure if you can use those other devices for the bootloader flashing part - if you want try it
As I said you could also use a Raspberry - but it's a bit more work.
I found a pretty good raspberry guide
If you want to go with an UNO this guide will help you
It also shows you the basics of compiling your own firmware.
The guide is a bit older and uses Marlin 1.1.x. Not too long ago Marlin 2 was released and you might want to try it.
Here the Marlin firmware git
and the example configs that should work with your printer
If you want to change your firmware again in the future (like because of updates or because you want to change something in the config) I recommend you use vscode with platform.io.
It makes life easier.
Here a quick vscode -platform.io - Marlin crash course
I'm still on 1.1.9 but I got my new board already flashed with Marlin 2.0.4 and will join the Marlin 2 team soon 
If you get stuck at some point let me know
1 Like
That's brilliant, thanks! Not sure when I'll get time to do this, but I'll update this thread when I've done it.
I'll give it a go with the old Pi 1, at least it'll have some use then
It works! I now have Marlin flashed onto my printer.
I'm getting an ERR: EEPROM Version at the bottom of the screen... but everything works, it prints, and Octoprint can drive it now.
Off to try to fix this EEPROM version thing
Reset the eeprom via the display or the terminal in octoprint with M502 followed with M500
Afterwards you have to calibrate the printer again (things like Z-Offset)
In case you need help with the Z-Offset part
All working! Thank you so much for the help
1 Like
You're welcome
Happy printing 
what if i don't have an icsp header on the printers board, am I out of luck to run octoprint
Its a CTC - a13 similar to the on mentioned here but with a different board
Can you get some pictures of the board? It might be that the header just isn't fitted to save a few pence on the manufacturing. If the tracks and pads are there, you might be able to solder one in.
I had to give up on Octoprint in the end - my printer would just hang half way through prints. It may be that the USB cable wasn't good enough, but I suspect the electronics are a bit shoddy.
i see it now there are 6 pads(?) but to connect to it id need to solder wires on to them and i'm not sure im skilled enough to do that haha
The CTC-A13 does not use a Ender 3 8 bit board, I have had the lid off and had a look and this is what lurks inside. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000422661195.html
I am having the same issue with Octoprint, constantly times out even though Octoprint initially see the printer and communicates with it.
Really could do with some help.
That's completely different to what was in my A13, I guess they've changed it.
I eventually gave up on the A13 and bought an Ender3 pro. It's so much better, and Octoprint just works with it. Not had a single timeout or error with it.
1 Like
I was thinking that I have seen this controller before and then it hit me, it is the same controller that is in my Anet A8 which I have Skynet on with auto levelling. I get amazing quality prints from my Anet every time and works 100% with Octoprint, so maybe I can use Skynet on this as well, something to look into before I give up on this printer.
Definitely worth a try. Interesting that they've changed the controller.
Just for interest, here's my A13's board (top), with the 8 bit Ender3 board below. (just noticed the random washer in the top right, that shouldn't be there!)
Funny enough the instructions supplied with the printer do show the Creality 8 bit controller like yours so I was a little surprised to find that it had a A8 controller but at least that controller is 32 bit and ramps 1.4 compatible, so there is an up side to this I suppose, These are photos of my Anet and you can see the controller is the same as on the A13, which makes sense I suppose as both printers are made by CTC.
Hello i have the exact same updated ctc board and im not sure what configuration i should use for Marlin or how to set it up. I know this is quite and old thead but i need to get marlin on here because the bed is allways not leveled properly and i want to get a bltouch. My firmwaare version does not have support for any bed leveling sensors or a raspberry pi. Could someone please walk me through how to install marlin. I hvae an arduino uno r3 and wires. I can solder as well if required. this is my printer main board.
I would really aapprechiate any help and thank you for reading.